When to plant in Van Buren, AR
USDA Zone 8aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Van Buren, Arkansas — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 8a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Van Buren, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average last spring frost in Van Buren is now 5 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
FT SMITH RGNL AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Van Buren’s own odds, recorded at FT SMITH RGNL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 25 | Apr 8 | Mar 21 | Oct 16 | Oct 28 | Nov 11 |
| 32°F | Apr 11 | Mar 25 | Mar 4 | Oct 23 | Nov 6 | Nov 21 |
| 28°F | Apr 2 | Mar 11 | Feb 21 | Nov 1 | Nov 17 | Dec 4 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Van Buren, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 41 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Van Buren planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Van Buren, AR?
Van Buren's average last spring frost falls near March 25 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Van Buren, AR?
The first fall frost in Van Buren typically arrives around November 6 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Van Buren in?
Van Buren is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Van Buren?
There are roughly 226 frost-free days in Van Buren (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 25 to the first fall frost near November 6.
When should I plant tomatoes in Van Buren?
In Van Buren, start tomato seeds indoors around January 28–February 11, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 1 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Van Buren
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Van Buren’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Fort Smith · 11 km
- Fayetteville · 71 km
- Tahlequah · 76 km
- Siloam Springs · 83 km
- Springdale · 84 km
- Lowell · 91 km
- Muskogee · 96 km
- Rogers · 98 km
Frost dates recorded at FT SMITH RGNL AP, 13 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Van Buren, AR — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013964. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/arkansas/van-buren.